What universe is Alan Wake in?

The gaming world has been buzzing with excitement ever since the announcement of “Alan Wake 2,” a sequel that has been 13 years in the making. While this highly anticipated game continues the thrilling narrative of the haunted novelist, Alan Wake, it promises something even more intriguing: an expansion of the Remedy Connected Universe.

To shed light on this fascinating concept, Sam Lake, the creative director of “Alan Wake 2” and a beloved storyteller at Remedy Entertainment, recently sat down for an interview. In this conversation, Lake delved into the Remedy Connected Universe, a captivating idea that enables Remedy’s games to intertwine, influence one another, and create a shared gaming cosmos.

While Remedy’s earlier games, such as “Quantum Break” and “Max Payne,” won’t be part of the connected universe due to external factors, the primary IPs that will be involved are “Alan Wake” and “Control.” This bold step towards interconnectivity isn’t entirely new for the studio, as Remedy has always relished incorporating Easter eggs and references to their previous works. However, the official initiation of the connected universe began with the release of “Control,” a game that intricately wove investigations by the Federal Bureau of Control into the narrative of “Alan Wake.”

This revelation was groundbreaking because it confirmed that the worlds of “Alan Wake” and “Control” exist within the same universe, introducing a new level of storytelling complexity. “Alan Wake 2” aims to take this concept even further by providing players with the opportunity to experience the world of the Federal Bureau of Control from the perspective of an outsider. While the game doesn’t revolve entirely around the FBC, it plays a substantial role in the storyline and is more than just a passing Easter egg.

Fans of Remedy’s games have long been treated to intricate Easter eggs and references. In the original “Alan Wake,” there were manuscript pages from one of Alan’s fictional novels featuring Alex Casey, a character bearing a subtle nod to Remedy’s iconic “Max Payne.” What makes this reference particularly intriguing is the fact that James McCaffrey, the voice actor for Max Payne, was the one who read these fictional manuscripts, further cementing the connection between the two game worlds. While Max Payne himself couldn’t be included in “Alan Wake” due to ownership rights, the link was undeniably established.

For fans of the “Alan Wake” series, there’s an additional delightful surprise in store. Alex Casey, the fictional character from Alan’s novels, emerges as a central character in “Alan Wake 2.” Created by Alan himself, Casey refuses to fade away and instead plays a pivotal role in the unfolding narrative, adding layers of depth and intrigue to the story.

The expansion of the Remedy Connected Universe in “Alan Wake 2” holds great promise. It offers gamers an interconnected experience, allowing them to dive even deeper into the intricacies of the worlds within “Alan Wake” and “Control.” These are universes where Remedy’s trademark clever references and nods to their previous works are sure to delight fans, creating a gaming experience that transcends the boundaries of individual titles and opens the door to an interconnected adventure like no other. With “Alan Wake 2” on the horizon, the future of the Remedy Connected Universe is looking brighter and more enigmatic than ever.